552
FXUS66 KHNX 201758
AFDHNX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1058 AM PDT Thu Aug 20 2026


&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. Warmup continues today before trending back to seasonal
averages.

2. Monsoonal moisture brings 5 to 15 percent chance of
thunderstorms over the Sierra Nevada beginning Friday.

3. Breezy conditions take place over typical wind-prone areas
including San Luis Reservoir, Lake Isabella and the Mojave
Desert Slopes.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The heat continues as the ridge over the Southwest continues to
persist with a trough off the coast. Today is expected to be the
warmest day as there is a 75 to 80 percent chance of triple
digits and a 10 to 25 percent chance of highs of at least 105
today in the Valley. In the Desert, there is a 75 to 85 percent
chance of highs of at least 105 degrees today. Winds continue to
be gusty in the afternoon in the windy spots of San Luis
Reservoir, Lake Isabella and the Mojave Desert Slopes. Lake
Isabella has a Lake Wind Advisory from 2 to 8 PM today due to
wind gusts up to 30 mph expected.

However, the ridge begins to weaken slightly on Friday through
the weekend with the trough slowly trying to slide north and
over through the Pacific Northwest. This change brings an
increase of monsoon moisture and a 5 to 15 percent chance of
thunderstorms every afternoon for the Sierra Nevada.
Temperatures also fall back to near normal beginning Friday but
triple digit chances will be at 40 to 60 percent through Monday
with the exception of Saturday. In the Desert, there is a 45 to
75 percent chance of highs of at least 105 through Saturday
before lowering on Sunday through next week. The CPC continues
to favor a 33 to 50 percent chance of above average temperatures
for much of Central California in both the 6-10 and 8-14 day
outlooks.

&&


.AVIATION...
VFR conditions will prevail for the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
None.

&&

.CERTAINTY...

The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high.
The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium.

Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit
www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.html for additional information
and/or to provide feedback.

&&

.HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Lake Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 8 PM PDT this
evening for CAZ332.
&&

$$

JPK

weather.gov/hanford